A statement posted on Facebook following the crash said Mr Walker, 40, was a passenger in a friend's car and had been attending a charity event for his organisation Reach Out Worldwide.

"We ... are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news," it said.

On Sunday, Mr Walker's fans gathered to leave flowers, candles and memorabilia from the action movies.

Hollywood reporter Gayl Murphy said the actor had been travelling back from the fundraiser when the crash happened.

She told Sky News: "This is such a sad story. He was such a nice guy. Bystanders thought that the Porsche that they were driving in had gone out of control in a fiery crash."

Walker was working on the seventh Fast And Furious movie at the time of his death.

A spokesman for Universal Pictures, the company behind the film, said: "All of us ... are heartbroken.

"Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast And Furious films and to countless fans."

Co-star Vin Diesel posted a photo of himself with Walker on Instagram and wrote: "Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in peace."

Fellow actor Ludacris said on Twitter: "Your humble spirit was felt from the start. Wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark, we were like brothers."

Walker also starred in the Hurricane Katrina drama, Hours, which was set for release this month.